Page 177 of A Curse On Black Lake
“Such a businessman,” I say, grinning.
“That’s how I expanded my direct beef sales into the other towns. I even have folks in Dallas who drive all the way out here to get it. So why can’t you?”
I could cry right now, but I keep the tears away.
“I love it.”
“Good, good. So I’ll get those few plants back in the ground and water them,” he says.
“Thank you, I’m going to see what I have in seed storage. I should have enough to start over again.”
Killian walks off, and I watch him leave. I’m sure he feels my eyes on him, but he lets me get my fill.
I should’ve known that I couldn’t have this. I couldn’t have him, and I’d never get the chance to fall into a future filled with a love like this.
But that’s life — full of hopes and dreams that will never come true.
Surprisingly, I had two customers. I think they were more curious about what happened instead of shopping. But they purchased some soap and salves. What do I care if they were disappointed?
Killian did his best to water and fix the salvageable plants. Other than that, the rest has to be cleared out, but that’s going to take a while. The amount of work that I need to do is going to take months if not years because I can’t harvest first year for some plants.
My stomach twists again. I don’t know why I’m even bothering to think about the future. I should have told Killian not to bother.
You do not know the timing of your life.The Spirits say.
“I guess I have to prepare for the worst to be sooner rather than later,” I mumble to them.
You must live each day as if it is your last but hope for tomorrow. Even we are not told your day.
“Tell that to Killian.”
“Yeah? Did you call for me?” Killian says, poking his head around the corner. He takes a large gulp of water from his glass, and I stare at him.
“Eliana?”
“What? No, sorry,” I tell him.
“Oh, I thought I heard you say my name,” he says.
“Is that an invitation?” I ask him, forcing a smile.
He licks his lips and looks me up and down. “It certainly can be,” he says and steps into the apothecary. “What time is it? It’s closing time, right?” he asks, with a predatory gleam in his eyes, and my body goes haywire.
I glance at the clock over my shoulder. “I suppose it could be.”
He grins. “Oh, hey I was wondering about your great grandma Lily’s journal?”
“And?” I say, dragging the word out.
“Did she write any more information about the curse?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I’d have to look, why?”
“Can you look, please?” he asks.
I smile, a real one this time. “Well because you asked nicely, how could I say no to that?”
He chuckles and follows me into the study. I look around for Grandma Lily’s book and remember I took it with me to his house.
